The Madras high court has directed the police to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegation that the panchayat president and some villagers having cut and carried away trees belonging to Arulmighu Sri Pairavananthanswamy Thirukovil in Thagattar village in Nagapattinam district.
The petitioner, T. Vairappan, a devotee of the temple, said that the temple has several vaganams, buildings and many immovable properties in the vacant land in the village, which were leased out to various people. The rent received was being utilised for the maintenance of the temple.
On March 25, 2012, the panchayat president and some villagers cut and carried away some trees belonging to the temple.
On hearing about the trees being cut, the petitioner informed the executive officer of the temple, who gave a complaint to the inspector of police, Voimedu police station, to take action against the offenders.
However, there was no action, the petitioner said. Justice C.S. Karnan said that though the temple executive officer had given a complaint on March 26, 2012, no action was taken till date.